Speaking from the East Room of the White House, Obama warned that the lack of authorization will have a catastrophic result on the nation’s economy. “It would be a self-inflicted wound on the economy,” he said.

“It would slow down our growth and tip us into recession. To even entertain the idea of this happening is irresponsible. It’s absurd.”

Although he failed to go too deep into detail, the commander in chief said that more efficient background checks and a ban on assault weapons will ease some of the mass shootings that have erupted as of late. “We’re going to have to come up with answers that set politics aside, and that’s what I expect Congress to do,” he explained, further embedding the importance of partisan support. “Will all of them get through Congress? I don’t know. But what’s uppermost in my mind is making sure I’m honest with the American people and Congress about what I think will work.”

As he heads into his second term, the debt ceiling, spending cuts and gun violence remain at the top of the president’s list of priorities.